As businesses rethink how they use office space in a hybrid world, the tools used to measure that space are under a microscope. One of the most commonly adopted technologies for tracking workplace usage is the occupancy sensor. But while occupancy sensors can provide a helpful starting point, they often fall short of delivering the insights today’s workplaces truly need.

In this blog, we’ll explore the technical side of occupancy sensors - what they are, how they work, the different types, their use cases, and most importantly, where they fall short. 

What Are Occupancy Sensors?

Occupancy sensors are devices designed to detect the presence of people within a space. They’re commonly used in commercial buildings to automate lighting, HVAC, and security systems. More recently, they’ve been adopted in workplace and real estate management as a way to track how spaces are being used.

At a basic level, occupancy sensors answer one question: Is someone here or not?

Depending on the sensor type, they may also attempt to answer how many people are here, how long they’ve stayed, and how often the space is used. While this data can inform decisions about space allocation and energy savings, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Types of Occupancy Sensors and How They Work

There are several types of occupancy sensors, each with its own technology and ideal use case:

1. Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors

These are the most common types of occupancy sensors. PIR sensors detect heat emitted by people. They trigger when someone moves within the sensor’s field of view.

• Use case: Automating lights in rooms, basic presence detection
  
  
• Pros: Low cost, simple installation, energy-efficient
  
  
• Cons: Can’t detect stationary people; limited range and directionality
  
  

2. Ultrasonic Sensors

Ultrasonic sensors emit high-frequency sound waves and detect changes in the frequency when they bounce off moving objects (including people).

• Use case: Larger rooms where fine movement detection is needed
  
  
• Pros: More sensitive than PIR; detects minor motion
  
  
• Cons: Can cause false positives from airflow or vibrations
  
  

3. Dual-Technology Sensors (PIR + Ultrasonic)

These sensors combine both PIR and ultrasonic technologies to improve accuracy and reduce false triggers.

• Use case: Spaces requiring reliable occupancy detection
  
  
• Pros: Balances sensitivity with accuracy
  
  
• Cons: More expensive and complex to install
  
  

4. Time-of-Flight (ToF) Sensors

ToF sensors use infrared light to measure the distance between the sensor and an object. They can track motion and estimate the number of people in a space.

• Use case: Entryways, turnstiles, and open areas
  
  
• Pros: Accurate depth sensing; good for counting
  
  
• Cons: Still lacks context about behaviors
  
  

5. Camera-Based Sensors

These use visual imaging (sometimes with AI) to count people, detect movement, and in some cases, identify activities or gestures.

• Use case: High-traffic areas, smart buildings
  
  
• Pros: Detailed data, capable of analytics
  
  
• Cons: Raises privacy concerns; expensive; requires ongoing calibration
  
  

What Occupancy Sensors Measure

Occupancy sensors focus on presence and movement. Depending on the technology, they can provide metrics such as:

• Room entry/exit
  
  
• Space occupancy status (occupied/vacant)
  
  
• Occupancy duration
  
  
• Foot traffic in/out
  
  
• Headcount estimates (in advanced models)
  
  

This information can help with:

• Lighting and HVAC automation for energy savings
  
  
• Determining which rooms or areas are most used
  
  
• Identifying underutilized spaces
  
  
• Estimating peak usage times
  
  

The Limitations of Occupancy Sensors

While sensors are useful for presence detection, they lack the nuance and context that modern workplace leaders need. Let’s break down the key limitations:

1. Limited Context

Sensors can tell you someone is there, but not who, why, or what they’re doing. Are they meeting with others? Working alone? Just passing through?

2. No Insight Into Behavior

You don’t just need to know whether a space is used, you need to know how it’s used. Are teams collaborating in open areas? Are desks being bypassed in favor of lounges? Sensors can’t capture these patterns.

3. Privacy Concerns

Advanced sensors like cameras can create legal and ethical issues around employee privacy. Even when they are anonymized, visual monitoring can erode trust.

4. Installation & Maintenance Complexity

Deploying physical sensors across a large real estate footprint is costly and time-consuming. They also require calibration and upkeep to maintain accuracy.

5. Static, Siloed Data

Sensor data often lives in disconnected building management systems, limiting its utility across departments like HR, IT, and workplace strategy.

Enter InnerSpace: A Sensor-Free Alternative for Deeper Insights

InnerSpace offers a smarter, more scalable solution. Instead of installing hardware, InnerSpace uses your existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to gather rich, real-time behavioral data. Our patented platform provides insight into not just where people are, but how they move, how long they stay, and how they interact with the workplace.

Here’s what sets InnerSpace apart:

• Powered by Patented Technology: InnerSpace’s proprietary pHLF tech uses fingerprinting, predictive modeling, and data fusion to deliver 10X better indoor accuracy than legacy Wi-Fi (within 100 sq. ft) and adapts in real time to environmental changes

• Sensor-Free: No installation, no disruption, no extra maintenance
• Easily Scalable: Works across entire buildings and portfolios
  
  
• Behavioral Intelligence: Understand patterns, not just presence
  
  
• Privacy-First: Anonymous, aggregated data - no cameras required
  
  
• Actionable Insights: Know which areas drive engagement, collaboration, and productivity
  
  

Real-World Examples of InnerSpace in Action

• A global enterprise discovered that one of its most booked meeting rooms was rarely used. InnerSpace data showed people reserved it “just in case,” then worked elsewhere. The company reallocated that space for informal collaboration zones - instantly improving utilization.
  
  
• A financial services firm used InnerSpace to track how hybrid teams navigated their office. The data showed a consistent pattern: people skipped assigned seating and chose open lounge areas instead. The result? A move toward more flexible, activity-based seating—and a more satisfied workforce.
  
  

The Bottom Line

Occupancy sensors have their place. They're useful for simple presence detection and automating building systems. But in a world where workplace planning demands agility, context, and deeper understanding, sensors alone aren't enough.

If you're still relying on motion detectors or badge swipes, you're only seeing part of the picture.

InnerSpace gives you the full view.
By tapping into your existing Wi-Fi, we help you understand how people actually use your space, so you can make better decisions, faster.

Ready to go beyond occupancy? Let’s talk!